Online predators are taking advantage of children spending more time online, leading to a significant increase in child exploitation cases in British Columbia. Rates of exploitation did not decrease after COVID-19 lockdowns ended, and cases almost quadrupled from 2021 to 2023. Police data show a national trend of rising online child sexual exploitation, with a 58 percent increase reported from 2019 to 2022. The RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit received 118,162 reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation offences from April 2023 to March 2024, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. Const. Solana Pare warned that the exploitation of children online is likely to continue as technology advances and children use online platforms at younger ages.
Child exploitation can include offenses such as sextortion, child luring, and distribution of sexually explicit images of minors. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection noted the increase in cases during the pandemic and emphasized the urgent need for better tools and legislation to combat online exploitation. The term “sextortion” gained attention following cases like that of Port Coquitlam teenager Amanda Todd, who died by suicide after being victimized online. Police across Canada have noted an increase in cases leading to tragic consequences like self-harm and suicide among victims. Technology, such as artificial intelligence, is making it easier for predators to exploit children, requiring law enforcement to adapt to these advancements.
To address the growing issue of online child exploitation, organizations like the Canadian Centre for Child Protection are advocating for the adoption of the Online Harms Bill introduced by the federal government. The bill aims to regulate online platforms and compel social media companies to protect users, especially minors, from harm. Justice Minister Arif Virani announced that the bill will be split into two parts, prioritizing measures to keep children safe online and combat predators. The introduction of the bill has been delayed, putting Canada behind compared to countries like the United Kingdom, which has passed similar legislation.
Provinces like British Columbia have taken steps to address online exploitation, enacting the Intimate Images Protection Act to provide victims with a path to remove non-consensual images from the internet. In the absence of national legislation, provincial laws are being used to target unauthorized distribution of intimate images, with fines imposed on individuals and websites that do not comply. While provincial powers are valuable, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection emphasized the need for comprehensive national legislation to effectively combat online exploitation, which is a borderless crime. The organization emphasized the importance of using all available tools to address the issue.
The increased social awareness and legislative efforts are helping to detect and combat child exploitation online, but more needs to be done to protect children. Law enforcement agencies are continuously training to keep up with technological advancements and understand digital evidence better. Organizations are calling for stronger regulations and measures to hold online platforms accountable for preventing the distribution of child sexual abuse material. The rapid increase in child exploitation cases highlights the urgent need for updated laws and resources to combat online predators. It is crucial for the government to prioritize the protection of children online and implement comprehensive measures to address the growing threat of online exploitation.
